-So even on your own show, you play what you consider to be "truly creative and truly good."

You always play only music that you truly consider to be good. To begin with, I think it's extremely difficult, if not impossible, to select music based on any other criteria. Because it's music that you can confidently recommend to everyone, it makes you happy and motivates you when you receive positive feedback from listeners. Nowadays, even if you're not sitting in front of a computer, you can instantly send your thoughts via Twitter or email using your iPhone. For example, listeners might comment on the conversation between songs, or something I say might spark a temporary buzz on Twitter. At times like those, I feel really close to the listeners, and when I play something I've chosen from the requests they've sent me, I feel like I'm collaborating with them.

--Starting September 9th, you'll be selecting background music for the Isetan Shinjuku Men's Store. The way the other person's reaction can bring a smile to each other's faces is similar to face-to-face customer service at a department store.

Exactly. When I was programming at InterFM, I always told my staff, "Always keep in mind that radio is for the listeners." I think the same is true for department store service. It's important to think about how to make customers enjoy their shopping experience and provide them with a service that makes them feel comfortable. I think many retail store clerks only speak according to a manual, but that's not good. Only by observing each customer's facial expression, being able to sense their feelings and adapting your speech style will customers feel like they want to shop there again.

--Is background music an important element for department stores?

Honestly, I think it's difficult to make customers think, "I'll shop there because that department store has good background music." However, I think music can have a subconscious effect. In other words, even if they're not aware of it, if they feel a little better than usual after shopping and leaving the store, that could be seen as the result of the influence of the background music. On the other hand, if you think a bar's background music is terrible, you probably won't want to go back to it.

--This is a fundamental question, but what does good music mean to you, Peter?

Music that stimulates both the intellect and the body. A song that satisfies just one of those criteria can be a favorite, but music that combines both is the best! For example, we aired it on the show this morning, but Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" is truly a masterpiece. The quality of the sound, the detail of the bass line, the lyrics, the sense of rhythm... Even though I know it perfectly, I never get tired of listening to it over and over again.

--If you want to enjoy the physical stimulation of being immersed in music, going to a live concert is a good idea, isn't it?

That's right. For music lovers, live performances are what move us the most. You can see the artists' performances and their expressions, and feel the sound of their music moving through the air and the vibrations hitting you—an experience you can't get from listening to records. They say CD sales aren't so good these days, but people still don't mind spending money to see live music.

--Peter, you're also organizing "Peter Barakan's LIVE MAGIC!", which will be held in Ebisu on October 25th and 26th.

I really hope that many people will come to see this festival. Jerry Douglas, who I really wanted to see, will be coming to Japan, so it's a must-see. As you're engrossed in the richness of the sound and imagination, the unexpected moments of ecstasy will come over you...! There are also other spirited artists lined up, so I hope we can provide as many people as possible with an encounter with music that really moves them.

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